Abstract: This is disclosed a process for the decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and chlorinated pesticides, as DDT and DDE. The process comprises microwave-mediated wet-ashing of the halogenated hydrocarbons(s) in controlled conditions to avoid an emission of noxious fumes from the reaction mixture. Preferably, the wet-ashing reagent is a 1:1 mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochemical process for the manufacture of hydrogen peroxidewherein a 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound is exposed, in the presence of an effective amount of a hydrogen donor alcohol, to electromagnetic radiation to photoreduce the 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound to the correpsonding dihydro-compound,wherein the dihydro-compound obtained is oxidized to produce hydrogen peroxide and to regenerate the 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound, andcharacterized in that said 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound is selected from the group of compounds consisting of unsubstituted 9,10-phenanthraquinone and 9,10-phenanthraquinone substituted by one or more members of the class consisting of alkyl groups of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, --CF.sub.3, F and --SO.sub.3 M, M being H or an alkali metal.

Abstract: All optical modulators are disclosed which include a channel waveguide made of an optically nonlinear material and transmitting an infrared beam. A control light whose wavelength is shorter than the bandgap energy of the channel of the guide is directed to the guide to bring it to cutoff. Near 100% modulation was obtained for a silicon waveguide with less than 150 pJ with a subnanosecond initiation and recovery time in a three port, fiber optics, geometry suitable for use as a logic gate. The operation is largely wavelength independent and stable. Planar multiple optical modulator structures are also disclosed as further embodiments.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the placement and alignment of surface mounted components on printed circuit boards during assembly. After the component is placed on the board, an infrared camera provides an image of leads on the component and corresponding soldering pads, to which the leads are to be soldered, on the board in a single exposure. The image is then processed by a computer and the position and orientations of the leads of the component with respect to the soldering pads are determined. As a result, any unsatisfactory misalignment of the component can be detected and defective printed circuit boards identified.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the specific processing of secreted proteins in genetically modified yeast cells. The yeast KEX1 gene was cloned and the KEX1 product was shown to be a serine protease, evidently a carboxypeptidase B-like protease. A probable site of processing of polypeptides by the KEX1 gene product is at the C-terminus of the .alpha. subunit of the killer toxin, where the mature toxin subunit is followed in the precursor by a pair of basic amino acid residues. Processing likely involves an endoprotease cut following these basic residues, and their subsequent C-terminal trimming by a carboxypeptidase. Consistent with the KEX1 product being this carboxypeptidase is the finding that it is also involved in .alpha.-factor pheromone production. In wildtype yeast, KEX1 is not essential for .alpha.-factor production, as the final hormone repeat in the prepro .alpha.-hormone precursor does not need C-terminal processing to form one copy of the active hormone. However, in a mutant strain where .

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling certain common insect pests of stored food products in human residences, food storages and the like. It comprises, generally, a substrate, such as paper, cardboard or plastic and a deposit of silica aerogel particles releasably bonded to the substrate. The strength of the bond prevents the silica aerogel particles from being released by air currents but allows the particles to be picked up by some insects that contact the deposit.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a method for the purification of hemoglobin by the technique of affinity chromatography. Contrary to current belief, the binding of oxygen and selected polyanions to hemoglobin is not mutually exclusive. The novel method comprises immobilizing a polyanion which specicically binds hemoglobin via its polyanion binding site, on a chromatographic gel and passing the hemoglobin containing solution or mixture through the gel. The hemoglobin is thus retained in the gel, while impurities are eluted from the gel. The novel method is also applicable to the separation of unmodified hemoglobin from a liquid reaction mixture containing modified and unmodified hemoglobin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ferric chloride leach process for the extraction of metal values from a metal-sulphide bearing material, the leach being carried out in the presence of a leaching aid chosen from among salts of diesters of sulphodicarboxylic acids. It, in particular, relates to the enhanced recovery of metal values from complex, metal-sulphide bearing materials such as, for example, fine grained, polymetallic sulphide ores, their concentrates or the like.

Abstract: An insecticidal composition for controlling or inhibiting the growth of larvae of the Bertha armyworm, comprising an insecticidal substance of one or more strains of Bacillus thuringiensis and an insecticidally acceptable carrier. The strains belong to the varieties aizawai, kurstaki and kenyae and include Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai strain HD-133.

Abstract: New types of narrowband wavelength selective optical devices are described. Various configurations are possible, according to the invention, that perform as narrowband wavelength selective transmission or reflection filters or as narrowband wavelength selective optical taps or combiners. The optical devices of the invention include a 3 dB optical directional coupler and wavelength selecting elements such as Bragg reflection gratings or Fabry-Perot resonators usually positioned in optical symmetry with respect to the directional coupler. Two or more wavelength selecting elements can be used to obtain desired filtering characteristics.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into an object and detecting reflected ultrasonic waves therefrom. The system is provided with delay lines for real time imaging. The system comprises a probe means having a transmitting bundle of acoustic waveguides for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into an object. The transmitting bundle includes the delay lines which consists of having cladded acoustic waveguides of different lengths for introducing different delays in the ultrasonic pulses carried by each waveguide.

Abstract: A novel scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is described which is constructed almost entirely of one metal e.g. aluminum and uses bimorph piezoelectric disks as the x, y, z drive elements. The design uses a simple, rugged tirpod configuration for the fine motion drive arms. Coarse motion of the sample, which is mounted on an aluminum holder, is achieved by pushing, or pulling, with a piezoelectric louse. Differential thermal expansion effects are avoided by design, to first order, and the resulting drift is .ltoreq.0.5 .ANG. per minute after only a short warm-up period. It is easy to build and operate, and has good immunity to mechanical vibrations.

Abstract: A process for the production of fermentable sugars from wood or other cellulose-containing biomasses, comprises the steps of (a) hydrolysing the biomass with a dilute sulfuric acid to dissolve hemicellulose while leaving most of cellulose in a solid phase, (b) separating the cellulose-containing solid phase, (c) subjecting the solid phase to rapid pyrolysis at a temperature of 400.degree.-600.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure, preferably in a fluidized bed reactor with a short vapor residence time, to obtain a crude pyrolysis product by condensing the pyrolytic vapors, (d) adjusting the water content of the crude product to form an aqueous phase with high carbohydrate content and a water-insoluble phase containing lignin-derived material, and (e) separating the aqueous phase. Optionally, the aqueous phase may be purified, e.g. by absorption.

Abstract: A method of simulating phase coherent signal reflections in media containing randomly distributed targets capable of scattering signals transmitted through the media, wherein the energy of signals directly scattered by the targets is significantly greater than the energy of signals multiply scattered by the targets. A reference signal having a wavelength which is small in comparison to the mean spacing between the targets is modulated and then transmitted through the target-containing medium. The targets produce scattered echoes of the signal, from which normalized in-phase and quadrature components are derived and separately, cumulatively summed, "n" times, until their variance becomes a linear function of 1/n.

Abstract: Methylotrophic yeasts of the genera Pichia, Torulopsis, Candida and Hansenula when grown on methanol, make use of an enzyme, alcohol oxidase, to catalyse the initial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. Non-growing whole cells of such methylotrophic yeasts were used in place of purified alcohol oxidase for the production of flavoring aldehydes from their respective alcohols. To reduce end product inhibition a number of amine buffers, which chelate the aldehydes, were studied and an increase in aldehyde production was demonstrated with selected buffers which maintain a weakly alkaline pH.

Abstract: Polymeric dielectrics which are exposed to highly divergent electric fields break down more quickly than expected because of the generation of ultra-violet radiation at defect points which degrades the polymer locally and leads to the formation of electrical trees in a polymeric insulation. The use of ultra-violet stabilizers, preferably in combination with reduced concentration of oxygen in the polymer, significantly extends the time to initiation of electrical treeing by preventing photodegradation of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unitary anti-ballistic composite armor of the type which comprises a base layer element and an energy absorbing body, the base layer element comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing fibrous material embedded, in laminar relationship, in an organic polymeric shatter-resistant matrix, the base layer element also being adapted to entrap particles produced on impact of a projectile with said energy absorbing body. The composite armor in accordance with the present invention is characterized in that it also includesa frontal layer element, andsaid energy absorbing body is disposed betweenthe frontal and base layer elements, said frontal layer element comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing fibrous material embedded, in laminar relationship, in an organic shatter-resistant polymeric matrix, said frontal layer element being capable of deforming the geometry of the projectile, and said energy absorbing body being bonded to said frontal and base layer elements.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sulfur-containing composite fuel is provided to utilize some high-sulfur content solid and semi-solid fuels such as tar sand coke and refinery tank sludges by reducing their sulfur emission on combustion. The method comprises the steps of making an aqueous slurry including a finely divided carbonaceous material, a comminuted sulfur capture agent and an oily agglomeration aid obtained from the refinery or tailing sludges and coagglomerating these components and an optional conditioning agent. The resulting agglomerated composite fuel has a reduced content of inorganic impurities and is suitable for fluidized-bed combustion.

Abstract: Novel FM receivers are disclosed, which are very compact and simple yet possess high sensitivity. The receivers use novel three-terminal and two-terminal negative admittance networks. In one embodiment, one three-terminal negative admittance network forms a complete FM homodyne receiver. In another embodiment, two three-terminal negative admittance networks are used as the frequency converter and the demodulator and other functions of a super-heterodyne receiver. In still another embodiment, a two-terminal negative admittance network is employed together with a three-terminal negative admittance network to form a complete super-heterodyne FM receiver.

Abstract: An adaptive welding control vision head with a metal enclosure for attachment to a welding head. The side of the enclosure facing the workpiece is angled away from the welding head, has two apertures and its external surface is coated with oil. Mounted inside the enclosure is a means of projecting a structural light pattern onto a workpiece and a means of monitoring the resulting scattered light. The inside of the enclosure is maintained at a positive air pressure to prevent welding fumes from entering and is cooled to prevent heat accumulation.